DJ PROMO: Bobby Caldwell & Jack Splash – Cool Uncle

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Bobby Caldwell might quite possibly be one of R&B’s best-kept secrets… a true soul gem. Known around the world for his 1978 international classic “What You Won’t Do For Love”, most of the rest of his wildly diverse & impressive catalog was just waiting to be discovered….that is until J Dilla intervened. Right at the turn of the millennium, with one genius move, Dilla re-introduced an entire generation to the brilliance that is Bobby Caldwell. In what might possibly be the best hip hop ‘love song’ of all time (“The Light”), Common raps the verses with grace & virtuosity, but it’s Bobby Caldwell on the hook that brought everything together. Dilla did that.

About 10 years later, the 9 time Grammy award nominated and 4 time Grammy award winning Jack Splash was following a similar path as Bobby…disregarding trends and making his own special brand of soul music for the music-lovers. Critically acclaimed worldwide as the front man for his 15-piece funk band Plantlife, Jack pulled a 180 and stopped touring entirely. He began writing and producing for Cee-Lo Green, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, John Legend and several more. In interviews though, instead of talking about himself and his commercial success, Jack was talking about HIS idols. He was talking about Earth Wind & Fire, Sly Stone, Steely Dan, Prince & BOBBY CALDWELL…..It just so happened that Bobby was listening.

Just like both Bobby and Jack’s catalogs, the music they make together as Cool Uncle isn’t that easy to define. It definitely has roots in classic soul, but also includes elements of funk, hip hop, rock and all sorts of electronic subtleties. Bobby and Jack called some of their friends and musical co-conspirators to come join the party. Cee-Lo, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Biddines, Jessie Ware, JD8 and even the legendary Deniece Williams came through for the pot-luck. The end result is a wild ride steeped in soul and groove, but peppered with exciting and unexpected twists and turns. The types of twists and turns that future Dilla’s might end up sampling.

This one felt like it came in out of the blue, but only because I was so focused on what Jack Splash was doing with Ras Kass as Semi Hendrix. It’s incredible that he’s able to turn around and do something completely different with Bobby Caldwell, a vocalist who still has it even after all this time. Both “Breaking Up” and “Break Away” are definite standouts on this one. Respect due to Jack Splash for staying busy with some great projects.